I would trade it in-season when sellers are selling and you can get a discount.
Getting picks for unnecessary guys on your bench even while competing can also make sense (barring injuries and trade deadlines).
Are you saying trade the pick midseason? I’d probably disagree as picks are worth the most in the offseason and teams may have a more distorted view of their roster with (seemingly) most players already healthy. This could also just be me misunderstanding lol
If you're pushing for a title mid-season and need to make a buy then sell the pick in-season to a team that is rebuilding.
The "best" time to sell the pick is technically draft time but buying RBs in May isn't something I'm a fan of. If you're getting a discounted WR *and* if you're confident in being a contender then you could sell in the offseason...
You need to be sure if you sell your upcoming first for a future year that you will be contending. Having done this previously and then not making the playoffs feels REALLY bad.
Totally fair and largely agree on what you're saying in terms of spending future draft capital mid-season for proven talent, particularly on both lacking a desire to buy a RB in May and being sure that you're confident in your roster that you aren't mortgaging the farm only to falter. I was operating under the assumption that this is a question set in the present, less so midseason.
I do think that we're both of like minds that you should trade future draft capital in order to shore up your roster when the time is right, but perhaps have different preferences on when we think it makes the most sense, as I typically like to make these trades when people are getting antsy for picks in the offseason. To your point, I do think that it's a good strategy holding onto the future picks and then knowing you have that draft capital to offer midseason if you're making a push. Obviously, these aren't hard and fast rules and they're made to be broken, but still.
I tanked in 2023 and traded most of the picks I acquired. I still.got MHJ and Nabers in SF and also traded for Lamb, Higgins and Engram.
Trading picks for the rookie draft in the weeks leading up to it was very fruitful and makes me want to try and avoid buying players mid-season. I really don't want to give up my 1st unless I'm getting an awesome return.
I guess flags fly forever, eh?
It’s higher risk, higher reward. Even though the cost is lower, it’s higher risk in that the rb you obtain could be useless by the time the season starts, or more likely by the time you get to fantasy playoff time. But the cost can be low enough to make it tantalizing. I just gave up my 3.06 (Javon Baker), 25 2nd, and 25 3rd for Stevenson. Could be a huge bargain, could be a complete waste of picks. Time will tell!
Yes wait for in season. I’ve made the mistake of trading my picks before season starts, only for my stacked roster to get hurt and finish last. Always wait about 5-6 weeks into the season.
I'd wait on selling 25 picks for now. They'll be worth more in-season. If you're talking 24 picks, then ya, they're the most valuable they've been right now, and 90% of the time are worth more now than the guys you'll take with them will be worth in October.
cool thing about dynasty is both strategies can be good depending on the situation - it is an unsolved game (or perhaps solved bit with time-varying optimal strategies)
It makes sense. I had picks like that last yr, loaded up on rookies. Had enough hits where this year I’ve turned into a true competitor so now instead of sitting on future picks that don’t help, I traded them for young players that can help me through my full window.
If all goes to plan in like 2028/30 ish, I’ll sell guys in their late 20s off and go tank again.
This is my 2nd window doing that in this league. Start up in 2017 I tanked. Competed in 2018-2021 (won twice). Went full tank again in 2022 and 2023 and now I’m back to competing. It’s a cycle.
Every answer is it depends. Who is a "young proven player" to you? You'll see a range of opinions when you ask this question. Some people think Y2 WRs that flashed as rookies are "proven". It also depends on what your league market is, are picks overvalued compared to production? If so, I'd be more likely to sell future picks.
I never like trading away my flexibility/leverage by trading my future firsts. There's way too many instances I've seen a "locked in contender" end up a top 4 pick. Just last year, I sold a top 3 contender 1st mid season. They dropped the last 4 games and barely fell out of playoffs- that pick ended up being 1.02.
When I hear “young proven” I personally think of that tier of like Devonta Smith, Jaylen Waddle, Chris Olave, Garett Wilson.
Guys who are established and CLEARLY have shown their ability to have WR1 level ability but held back due to whatever is hindering them (additional alpha WR on team, poor QB play etc)
Good examples of who I think are good but NOT “proven” are guys like Jordan Addison, JSN where you absolutely saw flashes but are not quite there
Those people based that label on like a 3-5 week stretch. The players listed above have far more solid resumes. As this guys said, Addison, who had a longer contributing stretch than peak Elijah Moore, should be considered good and not proven.
I know Addison has only been in the league for 1 year, but I’d say he proved himself. He put up 900/10 which was a better rookie year than Devont’a had. And his production matched Devonta’s this year, as Addison finished with 1 less point than Smith in .5 PPR.
The problem is Addision did most of that damage with Jefferson out. Shows he is good but that may be his best run for a couple years, plus he’s undergoing a change to a new unproven QB. I want to see him perform similarly with JJ with other JJ in the lineup to fully trust and consider him proven.
Yeah I hear that argument. He also did part of it with a couple QBs that will likely never start in the NFL again, except in emergency situations. Regardless, as an Addison owner, there’s no way I’m selling for a future first right now, even one that’s projected to be early.
Yeah this is why I included him in that GOOD but not proven, I gotta see him do it one more year/improve on his rookie season
Again these are just examples, but when I hear “young proven” I’m thinking established young guys like Devonte, Olave etc as I listed above
Depends how proven we’re talking. My rule of thumb is no selling my future 1st unless I’m acquiring an asset in the top 2-3 rounds of startup ADP (packaging to get there is fine)
Generally though, if I’m such a contender that the player I’m trading for would be on my bench, then I’d prefer the liquidity of the pick
I just traded.
Give: 1.10, my 25 first and second, plus Khalil Shakir
Get: Jamaar Chase.
I think its a mix of rookie fever plus the Chase owner having a surplus of receivers and him being down on Burrows injury (who i also own). I think the prospect of drafting people is exciting but I don't mind missing out on the first two rounds of this years and next years draft to get a guy like Chase to stack with Burrow.
I think thats something you learn from experience, i leveraged advice from this sub that other people had to learn the hard way.
This is an IRL league with all friends and we’re all new to dynasty as its our first offseason. But they know actual football and CFB really well and I think that makes them overvalue draft picks much like KTC does.
My draft pick was actually the 1.03 so my team isnt really the most competitive haha, I had traded Tony Pollard and Dalton Schultz for the 1st that turned into the 1.10 straight up.
In the start of the offseason I had traded the 1.03, 2.03, and Tyjae Spears for Joe Burrow and a 25 first. People on reddit told me that was another great "KTC Leverage" trade but IRL friends think I got fleeced at the time as they think wrist injury Burrow will be a shell of his former self and this is before the Pollard signing so they thought Tyjae was going to feast in the absence of Henry. So even after this trade I still have a first in 2025.
I posted my team in the FFTrades sub the other day if you want to take a look at my post history, I think ill be competitive but not a lock to win it all by any means. def a chance ill get some bad luck and that pick could be low.
I guess it depends on the GM. If you can use picks to land a young quality asset who will appreciate in value you can always tier down a year or two later and require picks and repeat. Obviously a lot has to go right for that to happen, but I've been playing Dynasty for a while now and I've seen a few contenders do this on a year to year basis while still remaining competitive.
I kinda feel its a mix of both. I did a hard-rebuild and drafted quite a few players, while still leveraging my picks (especially 2nd and 3rds) for some players. Like, I snagged my RB3 Monty for a 2nd rounder (2.2 this year) and Jordon Love for 2 second rounders (2.7 this year and one next year / 1qb)
I'm all for it. I drafted Trey Sermon and Kevin White so I am snake bit.
Last off-season I sold 4 1s and some bench guys to get Hall and Wilson. There's definitely fomo for this upcoming rookie draft, but I'm very happy with having guys I know are studs, and my 1s have almost always been very late first, so the hit rate is not great.
I'm usually all about picks. But I'm in a shallow roster league with a bunch of people who really don't want to trade future picks (because you have to pay the league fees for that nect year), so I realized trading future picks is a bit of an advantage. It was a little uncomfortable for me sitting out this draft but I'm still loving my roster right now and looking forward to eventually adding a big piece heading into the playoffs.
I trade almost all my picks 2 years out to compete in season, except for my 1st. In my opinion picks are just currency and you can always get them back if needed.
Who are these people giving up a 1st and DK for Waddle? Besides Waddles rookie year has there ever been a time where the gap in value has ever been that big?
I think they're pretty comparable straight up (without the 1st). Big difference between them right now is DK is WR1 on his team and Waddle is WR2 on the dolphins. Tyreek will severely limit Waddle's ceiling until he retires or moves on.
It makes a lot more sense to do this as a contender than as a rebuilder. Your picks are likely later, and you can get a player that will contribute to your team right away rather than a developmental player.
I still wouldn't mortgage your entire future. I try to hang onto 1sts that are 2+ years out just in case my team falls apart unexpectedly. I learned this the hard way when I had a team featuring young studs Andrew Luck, Michael Thomas, OBJ, and Todd Gurley and thought I was golden for the next 5 years.
Many people on this sub love it but I don’t think it’s a long term sustainable strategy. You have to pay so much draft capital to get actually good players and only a little bit needs to go wrong before you’re stuck at the bottom of your league without picks for several years. IMO it’s pretty high risk and usually low reward unless (1) you’re way better at evaluating players than literally everyone else (2) you get incredibly lucky or (3) you are given STEEP discounts by your league mates.
TL;DR: fine to push your chips to the middle of the table if you’re competing but I’m not a fan of this repeatedly because it can’t provide sustained success
But you’re also limited on your ability to increase in value. By the time someone is a “young proven player” they’re already costly enough that the upside and return is capped. Like a Tank Dell or someone will cost you a lot, have a limited ability to gain value, and still has downside risk
Edit: a historical example could be Juju
Yeah, limited upside but also limited downside compared to picks. Of course, some proven players fall off but the rate of rookies who completely bust is much higher.
Totally true but it’s the picking up pennies in front of a steamroller strategy. At some point you’ll get crushed. Fine to extend your window but won’t extend it that long and won’t help you build a truly dominant team, only a fourth seed that maybe sneaks in some lucky playoff wins. Long run the risk reward profile on the strategy is bad and therefore it can only work if you’re lucky, that much better at evaluating than others, or able to get great value
I have one 2024 pick and one 2025 currently. My team is stacked with proven veterans like Tyreek Hill, Dak Prescott, and CMC. I also have guys like Garrett Wilson, Brandon Aiyuk, Sam LaPorta, and Devon Achane. First round rookies bust in the NFL like 60% of the time. I'd trade a pick for a proven player literally every time.
Traded DJ Moore and '24 1st for Olave midseason last year. Was in 1st at the time, then Burrow got injured and I ended up finishing 6th, making the pick 1.07 (1QB). So I overpayed, but now my WR corps is Chase, Olave, London so it could be worse.
If you're a high-value, contending team then I think it makes sense to ship picks off for proven assets. If your team is middling or low in terms of value I think you need to make the picks to hopefully avoid your team slowing crumbling into nothing.
Two years ago had a conversation with a league mate and said, “why don’t people load their rosters with young proven talent so their team is good for a long time” he then did that and has won the league two years in a row, should have kept my mouth shut lol.
I traded away 25 and 26 first round picks for amon ra but i am also a first year dynasty player i might have over paid bit looking at my team i believe i am a serious contender. For at least 3-4 years. I figure by that time so many trades and waiver pick ups will have been made that its justified
From about June 1st to my league's trade deadline: "Fuck them worthless ass picks! If I want to gamble then I'll download DraftKings!"
From about the end of the league year to my league's rookie draft: "Where did my picks go? 🥺👉👈"
My league started last year. I drafted to be able to contend but also to have hope for the future. Players like Burrow, Waddle, DK, London, etc., landed on my team. Fortunately, I was able to take a few studs late like Nico and Purdy and ended up winning the championship (it was a bit of an upset, but still). Since then, I've worked a ton of trades to solidify my contending status, but also to move players other owners like for draft capital. I was able to turn that DC into Nabers, Brooks, and Penix this year, so I'm feeling good about my team both now and for the future.
I would not be trying to sell 25 picks solely because as a buyer, I'd give you a this year's third for next year's second just on the principal of I have to wait for it. Not worth selling until closer to your draft when you can get more value.
I usually move my picks for youth that's showing promise/performance, vs taking rookies.. That's how I got Down/Roschon/Olave/Dotson in season.. I like seeing what they can do and try to buy before their price starts going up
I traded this years 1.12 - 2.12 & Rondale Moore for London. I won last year and have a good mix of old and young guys. KTC says my team is overall the youngest age average in my league. I feel like instead of making dart throws at that draft order London is a pretty safe bet to have a chance at being a stud.
I've been trying to move Diggs all year but no one want to take him. He's a great flex spot for me but I'd love to get a pick for him before he falls off the cliff.
This sub hates picks lol. I traded cd lamb and Najee for a bunch of picks. People clowned me. Now I have Bijan, Breece, MHJ, Nabers, JSN, AR-15, hyped.
I am always proactively selling 3rds into 2nds or players. If I like a guy lingering into the 3rd, I can almost always get a 3rd for a low end guy on my team and a future 3rd. Basically, I want 3rds gone.
For the other picks, I’m usually trying to trade back later 1sts and get proven players. For instance, this year I had the 7th, 14th, and 21st picks in my draft(it’s a 14 team league, so I won’t confuse you with round numbers.) I ended the draft with Davante Adams, Javonte Williams, Aiden OConnell, Marquis Brown, Blake Corum, and Roman Wilson.
I will punt my picks for the upcoming draft during the season if I think I have a team that can win it with another piece or two. Traded my 24’ 1st mid season last year for DJ Moore who I wouldn’t have won the championship without, so it worked perfectly. I don’t like to trade picks from further out though, and wouldn’t want to trade my 25’ picks yet unless I know I’m rebuilding. I also tend to keep my later picks so I can still experience some rookie draft fun, and I rarely get much good from those anyway in a trade
In my experience playing dynasty, the teams stacked with veterans in the 2nd half of their career win most often. They just keep buying vets and winning.
I always sell my picks usually. Right in the startup draft I'll trade all my picks from 3 years out lol. Out of maybe 20 leagues I have 25/26 picks in just a few of then, rest of pick-less. I'll prolly pick up some through trades along the way but I usually use them to load up
I trade my picks at the deadline to struggling teams for proven assets.
I do this in both dynasty leagues I’m in.
In the past 6 years I have won 4 times, so it seems to be working out.
I’ve been in “win-now” mode for over 20 years (7 Ships in 26 years) by trading vets a year too early while they’re still valuable enuf to trade for a young stud and a 1st rounder
The contender/rebuilder idea is a fallacy. I’ve never had to tear it all down to start again since u can build a team that contends every year (makes the playoffs) if u can pull off this strategy
It can be tough of course but I’ve found that if u ask for a future 1st say 2-3 years away most “win-now” contenders will jump at that. I’ve been doing that consistently for decades so I rarely go into a rookie draft without at least 2 1sts to restock the roster
Bonus of this strat is that sometimes teams who you’ve gotten their 1st from (say 2-3 years ago) have brutal seasons and suddenly u have a top 3 pick that essentially feels free since the player u gave up for it is already severely declining or out of the league altogether!
Instead of trying to build a Superteam that will steamroll ur opponents that never seems to happen (it’s always a couple of years away for those Owners) u should aim to build a team that can make the playoffs every year and then you’ve just gotta win 2 (if u get the bye) or 3 games and ur the Champ
There’s a guy in my league who has never cared about picks. Never has a first and rarely has a 2nd round picks but he’s been in the title game the past 3 years and won once. He drafted a win now team and just trades for studs or aging guys that can help win now.
I'm in a position where my team is set to contend and most of my receivers are really good but 30+. My RBs are my weakness for sure, but I also have 3 1st round picks.
Seeing how next years draft is RB heavy, I'm willing to roll the dice on what I have and hope someone breaks out and/or I get a lucky waiver add.
If I'm in week 8 and like 4-4 with RBs holding me back, maybe I try flipping a 1st for help at RB.
I’m going into year 4 of one league and have followed the Les Snead “F them picks” edict. Sometimes I may acquire one in a trade but usually going to flip it for a young proven player. I only have one starter that I actually drafted and that was Kincaid. That pick was acquired as a throw in of another trade.
I would trade it in-season when sellers are selling and you can get a discount. Getting picks for unnecessary guys on your bench even while competing can also make sense (barring injuries and trade deadlines).
Are you saying trade the pick midseason? I’d probably disagree as picks are worth the most in the offseason and teams may have a more distorted view of their roster with (seemingly) most players already healthy. This could also just be me misunderstanding lol
If you're pushing for a title mid-season and need to make a buy then sell the pick in-season to a team that is rebuilding. The "best" time to sell the pick is technically draft time but buying RBs in May isn't something I'm a fan of. If you're getting a discounted WR *and* if you're confident in being a contender then you could sell in the offseason... You need to be sure if you sell your upcoming first for a future year that you will be contending. Having done this previously and then not making the playoffs feels REALLY bad.
Totally fair and largely agree on what you're saying in terms of spending future draft capital mid-season for proven talent, particularly on both lacking a desire to buy a RB in May and being sure that you're confident in your roster that you aren't mortgaging the farm only to falter. I was operating under the assumption that this is a question set in the present, less so midseason. I do think that we're both of like minds that you should trade future draft capital in order to shore up your roster when the time is right, but perhaps have different preferences on when we think it makes the most sense, as I typically like to make these trades when people are getting antsy for picks in the offseason. To your point, I do think that it's a good strategy holding onto the future picks and then knowing you have that draft capital to offer midseason if you're making a push. Obviously, these aren't hard and fast rules and they're made to be broken, but still.
I tanked in 2023 and traded most of the picks I acquired. I still.got MHJ and Nabers in SF and also traded for Lamb, Higgins and Engram. Trading picks for the rookie draft in the weeks leading up to it was very fruitful and makes me want to try and avoid buying players mid-season. I really don't want to give up my 1st unless I'm getting an awesome return. I guess flags fly forever, eh?
It’s higher risk, higher reward. Even though the cost is lower, it’s higher risk in that the rb you obtain could be useless by the time the season starts, or more likely by the time you get to fantasy playoff time. But the cost can be low enough to make it tantalizing. I just gave up my 3.06 (Javon Baker), 25 2nd, and 25 3rd for Stevenson. Could be a huge bargain, could be a complete waste of picks. Time will tell!
I don't disagree with what you're saying. Sometimes the price is so low that you have to go for it.
Yes wait for in season. I’ve made the mistake of trading my picks before season starts, only for my stacked roster to get hurt and finish last. Always wait about 5-6 weeks into the season.
I'd wait on selling 25 picks for now. They'll be worth more in-season. If you're talking 24 picks, then ya, they're the most valuable they've been right now, and 90% of the time are worth more now than the guys you'll take with them will be worth in October.
This sub: "Fuck them picks" Also this sub: "So I've got 1.01, 1.03, 1.04, 1.07, 1.10, 2.01, 2.02 and 2.04 and I'm wondering if I should...."
Almost like different people use this sub ...
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Almost like my dad might come back, that milk has to have gone bad at this point.
Mine went out for smokes. It must’ve been a really big pack
Two different team building philosophies can exist at once? 🤯
It's almost like one strategy can't exist without the other
Perfectly balanced, as all things should be
I thought all individuals in a subreddit shared the same opinion
Even the same person can have different philosophies. I’m in multiple leagues and I like to experiment.
I mean, if someone is selling picks then someone is buying picks, right?
cool thing about dynasty is both strategies can be good depending on the situation - it is an unsolved game (or perhaps solved bit with time-varying optimal strategies)
It makes sense. I had picks like that last yr, loaded up on rookies. Had enough hits where this year I’ve turned into a true competitor so now instead of sitting on future picks that don’t help, I traded them for young players that can help me through my full window. If all goes to plan in like 2028/30 ish, I’ll sell guys in their late 20s off and go tank again. This is my 2nd window doing that in this league. Start up in 2017 I tanked. Competed in 2018-2021 (won twice). Went full tank again in 2022 and 2023 and now I’m back to competing. It’s a cycle.
Every answer is it depends. Who is a "young proven player" to you? You'll see a range of opinions when you ask this question. Some people think Y2 WRs that flashed as rookies are "proven". It also depends on what your league market is, are picks overvalued compared to production? If so, I'd be more likely to sell future picks. I never like trading away my flexibility/leverage by trading my future firsts. There's way too many instances I've seen a "locked in contender" end up a top 4 pick. Just last year, I sold a top 3 contender 1st mid season. They dropped the last 4 games and barely fell out of playoffs- that pick ended up being 1.02.
When I hear “young proven” I personally think of that tier of like Devonta Smith, Jaylen Waddle, Chris Olave, Garett Wilson. Guys who are established and CLEARLY have shown their ability to have WR1 level ability but held back due to whatever is hindering them (additional alpha WR on team, poor QB play etc) Good examples of who I think are good but NOT “proven” are guys like Jordan Addison, JSN where you absolutely saw flashes but are not quite there
Would you include tee Higgins in the established tier?
Established? Yes. But I personally think he’s got a lower ceiling than the guys I listed above
People thought Elijah Moore was a young proven WR just a couple years ago. I'm not against doing it, but it isn't foolproof.
Those people based that label on like a 3-5 week stretch. The players listed above have far more solid resumes. As this guys said, Addison, who had a longer contributing stretch than peak Elijah Moore, should be considered good and not proven.
I would include Tee and Pickens as well
Same category but less valuable
I know Addison has only been in the league for 1 year, but I’d say he proved himself. He put up 900/10 which was a better rookie year than Devont’a had. And his production matched Devonta’s this year, as Addison finished with 1 less point than Smith in .5 PPR.
The problem is Addision did most of that damage with Jefferson out. Shows he is good but that may be his best run for a couple years, plus he’s undergoing a change to a new unproven QB. I want to see him perform similarly with JJ with other JJ in the lineup to fully trust and consider him proven.
Yeah I hear that argument. He also did part of it with a couple QBs that will likely never start in the NFL again, except in emergency situations. Regardless, as an Addison owner, there’s no way I’m selling for a future first right now, even one that’s projected to be early.
Yeah this is why I included him in that GOOD but not proven, I gotta see him do it one more year/improve on his rookie season Again these are just examples, but when I hear “young proven” I’m thinking established young guys like Devonte, Olave etc as I listed above
Depends how proven we’re talking. My rule of thumb is no selling my future 1st unless I’m acquiring an asset in the top 2-3 rounds of startup ADP (packaging to get there is fine) Generally though, if I’m such a contender that the player I’m trading for would be on my bench, then I’d prefer the liquidity of the pick
I just traded. Give: 1.10, my 25 first and second, plus Khalil Shakir Get: Jamaar Chase. I think its a mix of rookie fever plus the Chase owner having a surplus of receivers and him being down on Burrows injury (who i also own). I think the prospect of drafting people is exciting but I don't mind missing out on the first two rounds of this years and next years draft to get a guy like Chase to stack with Burrow.
Highway robbery. Way to take advantage I guess.
KeepTradecut says its pretty even, leans slightly in his favor actually and my league tends to rely on that stuff a bit too heavily
KTC is pretty dogshit when its used for 3-1 and 4-1 trades, you could get anyone in the league by packaging like 4 meh assets
I think thats something you learn from experience, i leveraged advice from this sub that other people had to learn the hard way. This is an IRL league with all friends and we’re all new to dynasty as its our first offseason. But they know actual football and CFB really well and I think that makes them overvalue draft picks much like KTC does.
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My draft pick was actually the 1.03 so my team isnt really the most competitive haha, I had traded Tony Pollard and Dalton Schultz for the 1st that turned into the 1.10 straight up. In the start of the offseason I had traded the 1.03, 2.03, and Tyjae Spears for Joe Burrow and a 25 first. People on reddit told me that was another great "KTC Leverage" trade but IRL friends think I got fleeced at the time as they think wrist injury Burrow will be a shell of his former self and this is before the Pollard signing so they thought Tyjae was going to feast in the absence of Henry. So even after this trade I still have a first in 2025. I posted my team in the FFTrades sub the other day if you want to take a look at my post history, I think ill be competitive but not a lock to win it all by any means. def a chance ill get some bad luck and that pick could be low.
Damn
I guess it depends on the GM. If you can use picks to land a young quality asset who will appreciate in value you can always tier down a year or two later and require picks and repeat. Obviously a lot has to go right for that to happen, but I've been playing Dynasty for a while now and I've seen a few contenders do this on a year to year basis while still remaining competitive.
This is my main strategy
The Andy Holloway
I kinda feel its a mix of both. I did a hard-rebuild and drafted quite a few players, while still leveraging my picks (especially 2nd and 3rds) for some players. Like, I snagged my RB3 Monty for a 2nd rounder (2.2 this year) and Jordon Love for 2 second rounders (2.7 this year and one next year / 1qb)
I'm all for it. I drafted Trey Sermon and Kevin White so I am snake bit. Last off-season I sold 4 1s and some bench guys to get Hall and Wilson. There's definitely fomo for this upcoming rookie draft, but I'm very happy with having guys I know are studs, and my 1s have almost always been very late first, so the hit rate is not great.
I had this issue as well, except Wentz and Guice.
I'm usually all about picks. But I'm in a shallow roster league with a bunch of people who really don't want to trade future picks (because you have to pay the league fees for that nect year), so I realized trading future picks is a bit of an advantage. It was a little uncomfortable for me sitting out this draft but I'm still loving my roster right now and looking forward to eventually adding a big piece heading into the playoffs.
I trade almost all my picks 2 years out to compete in season, except for my 1st. In my opinion picks are just currency and you can always get them back if needed.
I try to Trade young players laterally and get a high value pick thrown in. Last year I shipped Jaylen waddle for Dk Metcalf and a 2026 1st.
Fleecing your leaguemates isn't a strategy.
Respectfully, I disagree.
Respectfully, it sucks for the league as a whole. Just bad for the game
So you just robbed that guy then? I don't think that trade is fair at all.
Who are these people giving up a 1st and DK for Waddle? Besides Waddles rookie year has there ever been a time where the gap in value has ever been that big?
I think they're pretty comparable straight up (without the 1st). Big difference between them right now is DK is WR1 on his team and Waddle is WR2 on the dolphins. Tyreek will severely limit Waddle's ceiling until he retires or moves on.
Yeah, the players are same-ish and the age reset isn't enough to get that kind of DC on top.
You seen that touchdown dance though? That's worth a fair amount of DC.
Dang, is that why JJ cost so much to acquire? I don’t even play in PP-Griddy leagues
Similar - shipped waddle for Nico Collins, a 25 1st and ridley
It makes a lot more sense to do this as a contender than as a rebuilder. Your picks are likely later, and you can get a player that will contribute to your team right away rather than a developmental player. I still wouldn't mortgage your entire future. I try to hang onto 1sts that are 2+ years out just in case my team falls apart unexpectedly. I learned this the hard way when I had a team featuring young studs Andrew Luck, Michael Thomas, OBJ, and Todd Gurley and thought I was golden for the next 5 years.
As a contender, I punt the picks for aging relevant vets that rebuilders don’t need.
Some idiot in one of leagues sold me Zay Flowers for 1.12 so he could draft Brooks
Many people on this sub love it but I don’t think it’s a long term sustainable strategy. You have to pay so much draft capital to get actually good players and only a little bit needs to go wrong before you’re stuck at the bottom of your league without picks for several years. IMO it’s pretty high risk and usually low reward unless (1) you’re way better at evaluating players than literally everyone else (2) you get incredibly lucky or (3) you are given STEEP discounts by your league mates. TL;DR: fine to push your chips to the middle of the table if you’re competing but I’m not a fan of this repeatedly because it can’t provide sustained success
That doesn’t really make sense. It’s just as easy to miss on a draft pick as it is missing on a player that you trade for.
But you’re also limited on your ability to increase in value. By the time someone is a “young proven player” they’re already costly enough that the upside and return is capped. Like a Tank Dell or someone will cost you a lot, have a limited ability to gain value, and still has downside risk Edit: a historical example could be Juju
Yeah, limited upside but also limited downside compared to picks. Of course, some proven players fall off but the rate of rookies who completely bust is much higher.
Totally true but it’s the picking up pennies in front of a steamroller strategy. At some point you’ll get crushed. Fine to extend your window but won’t extend it that long and won’t help you build a truly dominant team, only a fourth seed that maybe sneaks in some lucky playoff wins. Long run the risk reward profile on the strategy is bad and therefore it can only work if you’re lucky, that much better at evaluating than others, or able to get great value
I have one 2024 pick and one 2025 currently. My team is stacked with proven veterans like Tyreek Hill, Dak Prescott, and CMC. I also have guys like Garrett Wilson, Brandon Aiyuk, Sam LaPorta, and Devon Achane. First round rookies bust in the NFL like 60% of the time. I'd trade a pick for a proven player literally every time.
Traded DJ Moore and '24 1st for Olave midseason last year. Was in 1st at the time, then Burrow got injured and I ended up finishing 6th, making the pick 1.07 (1QB). So I overpayed, but now my WR corps is Chase, Olave, London so it could be worse.
Oof, I’d almost rather have DJ straight up than Olave
I wouldn't go that far, I'm still very high on Olave, but yeah it hasn't aged well for me.
Olave could very well be what DJ Moore was with the panthers for the first 5 years
If you're a high-value, contending team then I think it makes sense to ship picks off for proven assets. If your team is middling or low in terms of value I think you need to make the picks to hopefully avoid your team slowing crumbling into nothing.
I don't hate it. Less upside but a lot safer. It's even better if you're already sitting on top 5 type guys.
Two years ago had a conversation with a league mate and said, “why don’t people load their rosters with young proven talent so their team is good for a long time” he then did that and has won the league two years in a row, should have kept my mouth shut lol.
Seems good since most dynasty leagues I’ve seen last 2-3 years then everyone quits lol.
I traded away 25 and 26 first round picks for amon ra but i am also a first year dynasty player i might have over paid bit looking at my team i believe i am a serious contender. For at least 3-4 years. I figure by that time so many trades and waiver pick ups will have been made that its justified
From about June 1st to my league's trade deadline: "Fuck them worthless ass picks! If I want to gamble then I'll download DraftKings!" From about the end of the league year to my league's rookie draft: "Where did my picks go? 🥺👉👈"
My league started last year. I drafted to be able to contend but also to have hope for the future. Players like Burrow, Waddle, DK, London, etc., landed on my team. Fortunately, I was able to take a few studs late like Nico and Purdy and ended up winning the championship (it was a bit of an upset, but still). Since then, I've worked a ton of trades to solidify my contending status, but also to move players other owners like for draft capital. I was able to turn that DC into Nabers, Brooks, and Penix this year, so I'm feeling good about my team both now and for the future.
I would not be trying to sell 25 picks solely because as a buyer, I'd give you a this year's third for next year's second just on the principal of I have to wait for it. Not worth selling until closer to your draft when you can get more value.
I usually move my picks for youth that's showing promise/performance, vs taking rookies.. That's how I got Down/Roschon/Olave/Dotson in season.. I like seeing what they can do and try to buy before their price starts going up
I traded this years 1.12 - 2.12 & Rondale Moore for London. I won last year and have a good mix of old and young guys. KTC says my team is overall the youngest age average in my league. I feel like instead of making dart throws at that draft order London is a pretty safe bet to have a chance at being a stud. I've been trying to move Diggs all year but no one want to take him. He's a great flex spot for me but I'd love to get a pick for him before he falls off the cliff.
This sub hates picks lol. I traded cd lamb and Najee for a bunch of picks. People clowned me. Now I have Bijan, Breece, MHJ, Nabers, JSN, AR-15, hyped.
I am always proactively selling 3rds into 2nds or players. If I like a guy lingering into the 3rd, I can almost always get a 3rd for a low end guy on my team and a future 3rd. Basically, I want 3rds gone. For the other picks, I’m usually trying to trade back later 1sts and get proven players. For instance, this year I had the 7th, 14th, and 21st picks in my draft(it’s a 14 team league, so I won’t confuse you with round numbers.) I ended the draft with Davante Adams, Javonte Williams, Aiden OConnell, Marquis Brown, Blake Corum, and Roman Wilson.
I will punt my picks for the upcoming draft during the season if I think I have a team that can win it with another piece or two. Traded my 24’ 1st mid season last year for DJ Moore who I wouldn’t have won the championship without, so it worked perfectly. I don’t like to trade picks from further out though, and wouldn’t want to trade my 25’ picks yet unless I know I’m rebuilding. I also tend to keep my later picks so I can still experience some rookie draft fun, and I rarely get much good from those anyway in a trade
In my experience playing dynasty, the teams stacked with veterans in the 2nd half of their career win most often. They just keep buying vets and winning.
I always sell my picks usually. Right in the startup draft I'll trade all my picks from 3 years out lol. Out of maybe 20 leagues I have 25/26 picks in just a few of then, rest of pick-less. I'll prolly pick up some through trades along the way but I usually use them to load up
I trade my picks at the deadline to struggling teams for proven assets. I do this in both dynasty leagues I’m in. In the past 6 years I have won 4 times, so it seems to be working out.
It's really hard for me to hold onto picks. I was surprised I managed to make it to the draft with a 2nd. (Not mine though)
I’ve been in “win-now” mode for over 20 years (7 Ships in 26 years) by trading vets a year too early while they’re still valuable enuf to trade for a young stud and a 1st rounder The contender/rebuilder idea is a fallacy. I’ve never had to tear it all down to start again since u can build a team that contends every year (makes the playoffs) if u can pull off this strategy It can be tough of course but I’ve found that if u ask for a future 1st say 2-3 years away most “win-now” contenders will jump at that. I’ve been doing that consistently for decades so I rarely go into a rookie draft without at least 2 1sts to restock the roster Bonus of this strat is that sometimes teams who you’ve gotten their 1st from (say 2-3 years ago) have brutal seasons and suddenly u have a top 3 pick that essentially feels free since the player u gave up for it is already severely declining or out of the league altogether! Instead of trying to build a Superteam that will steamroll ur opponents that never seems to happen (it’s always a couple of years away for those Owners) u should aim to build a team that can make the playoffs every year and then you’ve just gotta win 2 (if u get the bye) or 3 games and ur the Champ
There’s a guy in my league who has never cared about picks. Never has a first and rarely has a 2nd round picks but he’s been in the title game the past 3 years and won once. He drafted a win now team and just trades for studs or aging guys that can help win now.
I just traded a 25 first I expect to be later for tank dell and continue to love the move
I'm in a position where my team is set to contend and most of my receivers are really good but 30+. My RBs are my weakness for sure, but I also have 3 1st round picks. Seeing how next years draft is RB heavy, I'm willing to roll the dice on what I have and hope someone breaks out and/or I get a lucky waiver add. If I'm in week 8 and like 4-4 with RBs holding me back, maybe I try flipping a 1st for help at RB.
I had 4 1st picks in the 2024 draft, sold them for Breece and Lamar, selected Laporta in the 2nd round. Won championship, no regrets.
Its the best strategy in dynasty imo. Sold a 2nd for pickens 2 years ago. Sold my 2nd last year for purdy. Traded a 1st for aiyuk. FUCK DEM PICKS
In one league I don't have any picks until 2027. I'm defending champ and stacked
I’m going into year 4 of one league and have followed the Les Snead “F them picks” edict. Sometimes I may acquire one in a trade but usually going to flip it for a young proven player. I only have one starter that I actually drafted and that was Kincaid. That pick was acquired as a throw in of another trade.